DRC is a developing economy with a growth of 2.5% in 2009. The economy is strongly supported by its agricultural sector, which contributes 45% to the overall GDP of the country.

The trading, hospitality and mining industries have seen great development and allowed for the strengthening of the economy following the war in 1998.

(Source: AEO, un.org, afdb.org (pg 156))

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The GDP in 2010 was estimated at CDF 11,950.10 billion at current prices, demonstrating a growth of 32.4% from 2009.

e = estimated

(Source: Central Bank (pg 8))

Gross National Income (GNI)

In 2010, GNI per capita at Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) was USD 291.

(Source:UNDP (pg4))

Income tax rate

The income tax rate for individuals varies from 3% to 50% depending on the income slab.

(Source: taxrates.cc)

Corporate tax rate

The corporate tax rate is 40% and the Value Added Tax (VAT) is 13% on all profit-earning corporations.

(Source: taxrates.cc)

Inflation rate

Inflation rate (annual average) was estimated at 23.5% for the year 2010 as compared to 46.1% in 2009.

e = estimated

(Source: Central Bank (pg 8))

Foreign direct investment (FDI)

In 2009, FDI inflow amounted to USD 951 million, as compared to USD 1,727 million in 2008.

(Source: UNCTAD (pg 205))

Central bank assets

As of 31^st December 2009, the total assets of Banque Centrale du Congo (the central bank) amounted to CDF 2,174,871 million.

(Source: UNCTAD (pg 205))

Consumer price index (CPI)

The annual CPI for  2010 was estimated at 2,348.02, as compared to 1,860.24 in 2009.

e = estimated

(Source: IMF)

Retail price index (RPI)

In January 2011, monthly general RPI was 110.82, compared to 103.22 in the corresponding period in 2010.

Base month = December 2009 = 100

(Source: Central Bank (pg 17))

Interest rates

In 2009, banks charged an interest rate of 65.4% with regards to loans to prime customers.

(Source: World Bank)

Money supply

In November 2010, total money outside banks amounted to CDF 413,984 million. Deposit money, at the same time, amounted to CDF 1,467,611 million.

(Source: Central Bank (pg 55))

*preliminary

(Source: Central Bank (pg 55))

Government expenditure

In 2009, total government expenditure and lending amounted to CDF 2,477,392 million.

(Source: afdb.org (pg 158))

Public debt level

In 2009, the external public debt of the country was USD 13,822 million.

(Source: afdb.org (pg 158))

Official exchange rate

In January 2011, interbank exchange rate of CDF against the United States Dollar was CDF 920.98, and the rate against the Euro (EUR) was CDF 1,264.53.

(Source: Central Bank (pg 35))

Government finances

Fiscal balance

In 2009, the Government reported a fiscal deficit of CDF 133,902 million.

(Source: afdb.org (pg 158))

Government revenue

In 2009, total Government revenue and grants amounted to CDF 2,343,490 million. Tax revenue contributed about 59% to the total revenue. In the same year, Government grants were reported to be CDF 809,400 million.

(Source: afdb.org (pg 158))

Tax revenue

Revenue from taxes amounted to CDF 1,380,487 million in 2009, marking an increase of 27% from the previous year.

(Source: afdb.org (pg 158))

Current account balance

In 2009, the current account balance of DRC was USD -1,403 million.

(Source: IMF)

Balance of payments (BoP)

(Source: afdb.org (pg 158))

Labour force

In 2009, the total labour force was 24,927,234.6 people, compared to 24,030,006.1 in 2008.

In 2008, the labour force participation rate was 89.4% for males and 54.1% for females.

(Source: World Bank, UNDATA)

(Source: World Bank)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate was estimated at 54.0% of the population for the year 2010.

e=estimated

(Source: Central Bank (pg 8))

Minimum wage

In DRC, minimum wage for all workers is CDF 500 per day. The minimum wage for a 19-year old worker or an apprentice is about USD 65 per month.

(Source: state.gov, doingbusiness.org)

Level of unionisation

Major trade unions in the country include:

·         Confédération Syndicale du Congo (CSC)

·         Confédération Démocratique du Travail (CDT)

·         Union Nationale des Travailleurs du Congo (UNTC)

(Source: icftu.org)

DRC has a republic Government with its own written constitution describing the executive, legislative and judicial powers of the country.

The President is the head of state and Prime Minister is the head of government. The executive powers are vested with the President along with the Government, consisting of a Prime Minister, Ministers and Deputy Ministers. The President is elected for a term of five years.

The Parliament exercises the legislative powers of the country. There are two chambers of the Parliament – the National Assembly and the Senate. The members of both these chambers, known as National Deputies and Senators respectively, are elected foe a term of five years.

(Source: constitutionnet.org (pg 18, 23, 25, 26 and 27))

People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC), Unified Lumumbist Party (PALU), Social Movement for Renewal (MSR) and Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD) are few of the political parties in DRC.

(Source: ipu.org)

Regulatory Environment

DRC is ranked 172^nd in the 2011 Index of Economic Freedom. Its economic freedom score is 40.7 (out of 100), a decrease of 0.7 points from the previous year. It is ranked 44^th out of 46 countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa region.

(Source: heritage.org)

Corruption Perception

The country is ranked 164^th in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2010. Its index score is 2.0 (out of 10), reflecting high levels of corruption.

(Source: transperancy.org)

Freedom of Information

DRC is ranked 148^th on the Press Freedom Index 2010. It indicates that media is highly restricted.

(Source: rsf.org)

Major newspapers in the country include:

• Le Potentie
• La Reference Plus
• L'Avenir
• Le Soft
• Le Palmares
• L'Observateur
• Elima
• Boyoma
• Mjumbe

(Source: news.bbc.co.uk)

Judicial System

The country has an independent judicial system and consists of the following courts:

·         Constitutional Court

·         Court of Cassation

·         Council of State

·         Supreme Court

·         Courts of Appeal

·         Military High Court

·         Other courts and tribunals

The judicial power is managed by the High Council of the Judiciary, comprising of Presidents and Attorney Generals from all types of courts and councils of the judicial system.

(Source: constitutionnet.org (pg 41, 42 and 65))

Population of DRC is estimated at 67,827,000 in 2010, with a density of 29 people residing per square kilometre.

According to the estimates, females constitute to 50.43% of the total population.

About 51% of the population fall between the age group of 15-64 years.

(Source: UNDATA, UNDATA, UNDATA, UNDATA, UNDATA)

(Source: UNDATA, UNDATA, UNDATA)

Birth and Death Rate

During 2005-2010, crude birth rate is estimated at 45.1 births per 1,000 persons and crude death rate is 17.2 deaths per 1,000 persons.

(Source: UNDATA, UNDATA)

Infant Mortality Rate

The country has an infant mortality rate of 114 deaths per 1,000 persons.

(Source: msh.org)

Life Expectancy

During 2005-2010, life expectancy at the time of birth is estimated at 45.9 years for males and 49.0 years for females.

*estimated

(Source: UNDATA, UNDATA)

Migration and Urbanisation

At mid-2010, there were around 444,700 immigrants in the country, representing 0.7% of the total population. 

In 2007, about 33.3% of the population resided in the urban areas.

(Source: UNDATA)

Ethnic Environment

The country has a wide diversity of ethnicities with about 250 African ethnic groups. Major ethnic groups include Luba, Kongo, and Anamongo.

According to religion, majority of the people are Christians. Religions like Kimbanguism and Islam are also followed by a considerable part of the population.

(Source: state.gov)

Human Development Index (HDI) 

DRC is ranked 168^th on the HDI 2010. The HDI provides a composite measure of three dimensions of human development which are measured by life expectancy, adult literacy & enrolment in education and per capita GNP at Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). 

(Source: HDR UNDP – PDF file)

Literacy Rate

In 2009, adult literacy rate (people above 15 years of age) in DRC was about 67% and youth literacy rate (people of age between 15-24 years) was about 68%.

(Source: World Bank, World Bank)

Education

DRC follows a multi-level system of education. The education system comprises pre-primary, primary, secondary and higher education.

Pre-primary education includes three years of pre-school training for children between 3-5 years of age. Primary education comprise of elementary, middle and terminal levels, each level for a two-year period. Secondary education ranges from 3 to 6 years depending on the type of professional/technical course. Higher education consists of three years of under-graduate courses and 2-3 years of graduation related courses.

(Source: UNESCO)

In 2008, there were 255,594 teachers in primary and 188,808 teachers in the secondary education.

(Source: World Bank, World Bank)

Healthcare

In 2006, the country had 8 hospital beds per 10,000 persons.

(Source: UNDATA, AEO)

The per capita expenditure on healthcare was USD 9 in the year 2007.

(Source: World Bank)

Mass Public Transit

In DRC, people mainly travel by road. Taxis and mini-buses are used for public transport. Railways are also preferred for travel but on a small-scale.

(Source: travel.state.gov)

Roadways

The country has a road network of 153,497 kms, of which only 1.8% is paved.

(Source: estandardsforum.org (pg 5))

Railways

DRC has 4,007 kms of rail network, of which 858 kms are electrified.

(Source: estandardsforum.org (pg 6))

Ports

There are three main ports in the country – Port of Banana, Port of Boma and Port of Matadi. Port of Boma and Matadi are located alongside the Congo River and Port of Banana is located near the Atlantic Ocean.

(Source: worldportsource.com, worldportsource.com)

Airports

DRC has around 194 airports. N'djili International Airport (Kinshasa), Lubumbashi International Airport, Goma International Airport and Bangoka International Airport are the well-known international airports in the country. Kananga Airport is also popular in the country for domestic travels.

(Source: estandardsforum.org (pg 5), mapsofworld.com)

Telecommunications

In 2009, the country had 42,320 fixed landline subscribers and 9,458,557 mobile phone subscribers, with a penetration rate of 0.06% and 14.33%, respectively.

(Source: itu.int, itu.int)

In June 2010, there were 365,000 internet users in DRC and the internet penetration was registered at 5.9%.

(Source: internetworldstats.com)

(Source: itu.int, itu.int)